A Photographer's Dream - A Full 1877 Proof Set
FlyingAl
Posts: 3,188 ✭✭✭✭✭
Every now and then, I think we're presented with an opportunity that can only be described as "once in a lifetime". I recently was able to have such an opportunity, and I had to share.
What is shown here is a complete 1877 Proof set - including gold. The simple fact of the matter is that a set of coins of this caliber should not exist in a full set - and yet here we are! Getting to image and play with coins of this quality is simply a dream for anyone, and for a photographer it is one of those once in a lifetime opportunities. It's not every day you get to share images of a full set like this.
1877 Proof gold especially is quite rare - very few coins were struck and even fewer reside in private hands. For coins like the $10, only a few coins are able to be held in private hands - the example imaged here is the only PCGS DCAM example. For each coin to have a CAC sticker adds to the quality and rarity of these coins.
The ability of a collector to be able to work for decades to assemble not just a set - but a matched set of Proofs for an early date Proof set is simply amazing. I cannot put into words how much of a rarity these coins are.
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A quick final note - the silver and minor coins were imaged with three different setups - a standard setup, a setup that produces standard color through plastic (what you'd get if there was a GreatPhoto taken at GC) and what is presented here as the second photo set - one that aims to replicate the true look of the coin raw. It's a technique that was discussed with @robec, and I'm still ironing it out. As such, it's heavily hit or miss. If you look at the quarter and half, the images presented actually outperform the raw TrueView, but for a coin like the nickel and cent with weaker and darker mirrors, the shots can be underwhelming, as there remains residual glare and distortion from the plastic. It's a bit of an experiment and when they turn out it's awesome. For those wondering, I provide three image sets to the client for the standard rate, so these "hit or miss" shots are actually just a bonus. For the nickel I'll add the standard shot to show the difference.
Enjoy!
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Standard Color Shots:
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Coin Photographer.
Comments
WOW
Great job on the imaging. Looks perfect to me.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
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Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan
Where’s the “Please, may I have it?” option to click?
I love the color!
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Beautiful images; really enjoyed looking at them! Thanks for posting….
“The thrill of the hunt never gets old”
PCGS Registry: Screaming Eagles
Copperindian
Retired sets: Soaring Eagles
Copperindian
Yes, it is a "dream set," but I see some marks a few of the pieces that make the grades seem a little generous. The Trade Dollar at PR-66 has me scratching my head the most.
It appears to be an original set with all of the coins matching up well. That is a huge plus, and might be one of the reasons from the grades.
I really like the gold.
I immensely enjoyed the sneak peek on IG. Even better to see them all here. Great pics!!!
(The coins are ok too
)
Chopmarked Trade Dollar Registry Set --- US & World Gold Showcase --- World Chopmark Showcase
Thanks @FlyingAl for doing all the work to post these! The photo quality is really superb, as are the coins. The owner did a very good job matching these coins together. It is sad that the vast majority of proof sets circa 1858-1915 have long since been dispersed. Insane set....Truly rare.
Wow very nice!!
Sweet!
Tom
An absolutely beautiful set of coins, and complete proof set. The photography is superb, as are each of the coins.
Nice key proof set but also remarkably well matched! Very nice.
The Trade is rather clean in hand, and there are some slab scratches. Large Proofs and gold often get some leeway grade wise as well.
Coin Photographer.
Great photos and an amazing set. Love the double photos. That's some nice toning on the 3CN, don't often see them like that.
Wow, what a great set this is! Like all the coins, especially the $3 gold and the quarter!
An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.
Truly amazing set, great photos as well.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Gorgeous set is an understatement, but it is. Great job on the photos as well. It’s not easy capturing all that color while fighting with the slab….you did super!
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
Your ability to reach thru the plastic is very impressive. Amazing set of coins to boot! Peace Roy
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Wow what a set and great images too. It is a really well-matched set. Thanks for sharing!
Collector
75 Positive BST transactions buying and selling with 45 members and counting!
instagram.com/klnumismatics
Photographer's dream? How about Collector's dream, Connoisseur's dream, Dreamer's dream!
My boy, let me let me talk to you about original Proof sets. John J. Pittman was on and off the ANA Board so much that he never exhibited competitively, but he would usually put out a one-case non-competitive exhibit with a silk ribbon that just say "SELECTED NUMISMATIC RARITIES."
One year (late 1970's? Early 1980's?) he displayed FOUR complete Proof sets, including gold, from the 1840's in their original leather presentation cases. Nothing between you and them but the glass of the exhibit case, and maybe a little drool from previous viewers. If those sets were broken up when his collection was sold it was a numismatic crime.
Another year he had TWO 1877 $50 Half Union pieces in gilt copper, one of each die variety. I can't remember the other patterns in that case.
Incredible. I wish I could have seen that!
Coin Photographer.
Perhaps some of the marks are on the slab? I could understand the potential for PCGS to be generous with the grades, but CAC also reviewed and approved.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Not just a gorgeous set, but one that displays a good number of types. I’ve never had the patience to put together a well-matched set nor the resources to include the gold. A centerpiece set.
Excellent photography! Beautiful specimens... well photographed.
big fan of the double dime!!
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Wow coins and great photos!
If you hadn’t indicated otherwise, I would have assumed the coins were an original set assembled from the mint.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
Absolutely incredible work @FlyingAl -- you truly have a gift, my friend. I hope you get to continue to see even more "selected numismatic rarities" in the future!
Great set! Was there a special reason for picking 1877 for the year ?
Amazing box of 14
Beautiful!! Thanks for sharing
Thank you for sharing such an exquisite set @FlyingAl.
It is a great accomplishment to put such a set together but to match so closely the colors is another thing in rarities.
Again, thanks for sharing.
Wayne
Kennedys are my quest...
What a magnificent set and set of photos. For some reason I really liked the 3CN.
Thanks for sharing.
jom
Very nice!
Simply WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do like pre 1971 Proof Sets and those in my collection (as of today) only go back to 1939.
When I see sets like the 1877 posted in this thread I sigh imagine what a treat it would be to see and hold 19th century proof coins.
My connection with 1877 is limited to that being the birth year of my maternal grandmother. She passed away in 1951 or 1952 about a year after my mother (the youngest of 7 children born between 1897 and 1920) and father married in 1951 and a few years before I arrived in 1956. It would have been nice if my grandmother's parents had seen fit to purchase an 1877 birth year Proof Set for my grandmother (with it of course being passed down to my mother and then to me
).
Alex, what a fantastic opportunity, and you did a wonderful job on these. Wow. Just Wow!! I mean WOW!!!!
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
Wow! Thanks for the eye candy! That Indian Head Cent is amazing... the 20 center... and that DCAM $3!!
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Beautiful set.
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
Superb photos of some phenomenal coins! A real joy to view these.
Impressive coins and impressive photographs!
Collecting: Cents, Dansco 7070, Half Dollars, 1947, 1976, random pieces I like
My PCGS Registry
What is the provenance of this proof set?
Coins and Photos.....Just wow!
Wonderful coins, great pictures.
Great coins and pics Alex! Thanks to you and the owner for sharing.
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
Unbelievable coins/set. I am speechless for the quality and grades for this set. Thank you so much for posting.
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I live on a mountain, and yes, I’m a coin dealer, but I wouldn’t want them to put “Mountain Ho” on my slabs. Just saying.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
@MrEureka - is your mountain 7800' elevation? If not, probably not a mountain.
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/proof-sets/1880-proof-set-gold/alltimeset/155487
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/proof-sets/1891-proof-set-gold/alltimeset/166318
End Systemic Elitism - It Takes All Of Us
Absolutely amazing!
Smitten with DBLCs.
The PR64 gold coins ($5, $10, and $20) are stunning. Thanks for sharing.
OK, maybe not a real mountain. But don't blame me. Blame Velvet Jones.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Wow, sweet set. 19th century gold proofs and that 1877 proof cent are special.